Formerly known as Windows Defender, Microsoft Defender is an antivirus protection program that's included with Windows 10.

Windows 10 life support ends Oct. 14, when Microsoft stops providing free free security updates, bug fixes, or technical ...

A recent Microsoft announcement throws users into a panic with the implication that Microsoft’s venerable antivirus tool is longer free. The truth is a bit more nuanced. When the IBM PC was new, I ...

If you’re new to using a computer or new to Microsoft, or on the flip side, very, very experienced you might be thinking: Do I really need an antivirus program for my Windows 11 computer? The short ...

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including ...

In the cybersecurity space since 1988, Avast — that’s us — knows a thing or two about keeping you safe. We’ve become recognized industry leaders and that’s why our antivirus software is trusted by ...

Microsoft's move to free is likely to win plaudits from consumers, but McAfee and Symantec won't likely sit there and take it. During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried changed beats several times, ...

Windows 10 was initially released in July 2015, around three years after the release of Windows 8. The update's main priority ...

Do you need antivirus in 2022 — especially when some options now come with a cryptominer built in? Several antivirus vendors — some options free, others, paid — have begun bundling their antivirus ...

Not so long ago, running a Windows PC without some kind of special antivirus would have all but ensured that your PC got infected with malware. Now, however, the situation is different. Microsoft has ...

Who should know more about PC threats than the company whose software makes most of them possible? Is Microsoft’s upcoming, free anti-malware app the company’s way of apologizing to customers? Not ...

We explore how Windows Security and Microsoft Defender protect your Windows 11 computer and why you might want to consider an alternative. Dianna Gunn built her first WordPress website in 2008. Since ...